FLASHBACK: MTV VIDEO MUSIC AWARDS 2006

Because of the shooting and the weather issues in Miami the year before, MTV returned the awards show to NYC in 2006. This was very easy to cover; no flights or hotel rooms involved.

Brooke Hogan tells me her favorite video is Britney Spears’ "Slave 4 U." “She just looked so good. Her body was top-notch there. She was at the top of her game. I’m a big Britney fan. People can hate her, people can love her, but I love her. She’s a great performer, she’s so talented. I’m so happy for her — she’s going to have two beautiful babies. Her first baby, Sean, is so cute!”

The next year wouldn’t be so bright, unfortunately, for dear Brit, but things did go well for Fall Out Boy, who won Viewer’s Choice for their song "Dance Dance."

“It allowed us to incubate with fans and with kids, and we got out in a van and had to go out and do it on our own and build it our own way,” Fall Out Boy’s Pete Wentz tells me of being from the Midwest. “It’s an interesting kind of success, but it’s really awesome. It involves people going through your parents’ garbage and weird stuff, but on the other hand, your fans weigh in so heavily to support what you do.”

Best Pop Video winner Pink tells me that married life is “gorgeous,” and Pussycat Dolls’ Nicole Scherzinger tells me “sleeping as much as possible” is her best beauty tip.

This year, Vegas hosts the big night. Tune in to the MTV Video Music Awards tonight at 9 p.m.